Ruthless Saints

The fact that Hailey’s constantly crowding my thoughts bothers me, but still, I find myself rushing through my shower routine so I can go check if she’s still in the village.

HAILEY

It’s so quiet out here.

I thought I wouldn’t like it, but I’ve fallen in love with the Alpine village. Miles and miles of beautiful nature surround the traditional wooden houses standing on pillars. There are flowers on every windowsill and balcony.

Life here just feels perfect. As if I’ve stepped into a fairytale world.

With it being a Tuesday, it’s my day off, and I’ve just spent the morning visiting Grimentz, which is a smaller village near Saint Luc.

Walking up the road to where my cabin is, a weird feeling skitters down my spine. A slight frown ripples over my forehead, but it’s soon forgotten as I open my front door. I just want to get some water and finish the sandwich I made this morning before getting to work on planting the flowers I got yesterday. The cabin’s a little neglected, and I want to brighten it up while I’m here.

After eating, I go to my room and change into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. A smile plays around my lips as I head outside again. Kneeling by the flowerbox that’s situated under the windowsill, I take hold of the little spade and shovel the ground until it’s loose.

I mix the colors up as I plant the seedlings, and I pause for a moment when goosebumps spread over my skin. Glancing over my shoulder, I see one of the locals walking down the road.

While staying busy, my thoughts return to the last two weeks I’ve been in Saint Luc. The village is growing on me. I love the people who are all friendly, and working at the bar with Lars is nice.

There was only the one incident with the German tourists a week and a half ago, but luckily I haven’t seen them again. I figured they moved on to greener pastures.

I also haven’t seen Carson and keep wondering where he is and whether he’ll return.

Hopefully, I’ll get to see him soon. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him, which has made my silly crush grow.

For all I know, he’s a boring slouch with zero ambition.

I let out a chuckle as I flatten the ground around the seedlings.

Yeah, I doubt Carson will be boring. Something tells me he might be too much for me to handle, and I should just stick to having a crush on him. Besides, it’s not like I intend on staying here forever, so dating anyone is a little pointless.

I climb back to my feet, and taking hold of the watering can, I fill it and gently pour the water over the seedlings.

With the chore done, I glance around the area. I don’t like sitting still for too long, and it has me going back inside so I can put on my sneakers. I grab a hat and plopping it on my head, I pull the front door shut and decide to follow the road up the mountain.

I’ve been trying to figure out which house is Carson’s, seeing as he said he lives in the village. So far, I’ve had zero luck.

I should forget about the stupid crush, but the excitement I feel whenever I think of him makes it hard.

Here and there, I stop to pick some wildflowers. The road grows a little steeper, and soon my calves begin to burn. Not knowing where the road leads to, I start thinking I should turn back.

“Let’s just see what’s around the bend, then I’ll head back,” I mutter breathlessly.

Another five hundred yards, I finally reach the bend, and then my lips part. Up ahead, a modern house sits nestled between the mountain and pine trees. It’s unlike any other home I’ve seen, and it looks like it’s been designed to blend in with the surrounding nature.

I walk closer, my eyes taking in the expansive windows and slatted wood. I hear water trickling and soon find the stream coming down from the mountain and disappearing somewhere along the front of the property.

I glance up at the first floor, and then my heartbeat instantly kicks into overdrive.

Carson.

So this is where he lives?

He’s standing with his hands in his pockets, again dressed in black, watching me from one of the wide windows.

Yeah, my memory didn’t do him any justice. I can feel the intensity of his eyes on me all the way from here.

Not wanting to come across as creepy, I lift my hand and wave.

Instead of returning my wave, Carson turns around and walks away from the windows.

Ouch.

Scrunching my nose, I glance over the beautiful house one last time, and then I turn around and start the walk back to my cabin.

I instantly freeze when I hear Carson call, “Hailey.”